HJAR May/Jun 2024

34 MAY / JUN 2024 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS MEDICAID COLUMN MEDICAID THE Arkansas Department of Human Ser- vices (DHS) is reminding Arkansans about the Access Arkansas online portal, a power- ful tool that allows beneficiaries to apply for, review, and manage their Medicaid benefits online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. AccessArkansas, which is available at ac- cess.arkansas.gov, lets Arkansans apply for healthcare (Medicaid), the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), and Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) using a single application for an individual or whole family at once. Beneficiaries can also report changes to the information DHS has about them or their family. Those who already receive benefits from DHS can useAccessArkansas to renew their case, read letters and notices online, and check the status of applications and renewals. Because it’s always available and accessible by computer or smartphone, AccessArkansas makes it more convenient for beneficiaries to manage benefits on their schedule and gives them a one-stop shop to update and change information quickly and easily. Other highlights include: • A single application for multiple programs. • A way to report changes and manage information easily online. • Renewals that can be filled out online, and which keep the information pro- vided previously so it can be updated or changed in one place. • View notices and set account alerts to get updates about benefits. • Upload documents directly to an ac- count so there’s no need to mail or drop off paper copies. • Schedule appointments. • File an appeal. DHS has several tools available to help beneficiaries understand how to navigate Access Arkansas, to answer questions they may have about the systemor their eligibility, and to help spread the word about this tool. Recently, DHS created a series of new graphics that can be printed and displayed at provider offices, shared on social media or in online newsletters, or emailed. These graph- ics, which are also being shared to the DHS Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts, are available in an Access Arkansas client toolkit posted at ar.gov/accessarkansas. Each graphic includes key details about the benefits of Access Arkansas and the access. arkansas.gov website, where users can log in or create an account. Each graphic includes information in English, Spanish, and Mar- shallese because the portal can display in- formation in any of those languages. The client toolkit features a series of in- structional videos that can assist users with reviewing benefits; uploading documents; setting up alerts; reporting changes to infor- mation needed for their case; and applying for, managing, or renewing their Medicaid, SNAP, and TEA benefits. In the first informational video featured on the client toolkit page, clients will learn that if they have not used Access Arkansas since 2021, they must create a new account with the updated system. Users will also find instruc- tional videos on how to file an appeal. By law, clients have the right to appeal any decision DHS may make that they disagree with. On the client toolkit page, users will also find informational videos on how to sched- ule SNAP interviews. If a client is applying for SNAP benefits, they must schedule an interview. The client toolkit also provides informational videos for authorized representatives. If a person serves as an DHS Renews Push to Share Helpful Features of ACCESS ARKANSAS ONLINE PORTAL